This bill aims to amend the voting rights of formerly incarcerated individuals in West Virginia by removing restrictions that currently prevent them from registering to vote after their release. Specifically, it modifies the eligibility criteria in the Code of West Virginia, 1931, by changing the language regarding disqualification due to felony convictions. The bill states that individuals who have been convicted of a felony will be eligible to register to vote upon their release from incarceration, whether that release is through pardon, parole, probation, or completion of their sentence.

Additionally, the bill makes changes to the qualifications for voter registration by replacing the word "must" with "shall" and "shall" with "may" in the context of citizenship and residency requirements. It also clarifies that individuals who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are disqualified from voting as long as that disability persists. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance voting accessibility for individuals who have served their time, thereby promoting reintegration into civic life.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-2-2